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By Ethan Carter — 17 July 2026 — 3 min read

McGregor’s Injury and Call for Rematch

Conor McGregor is facing a recovery period after sustaining a leg injury during his recent comeback fight at UFC 329 against Max Holloway. The fight, which marked McGregor’s return to the UFC after an absence of five years, ended in just 66 seconds when he suffered the injury from a kick. McGregor has expressed his belief that the result, a TKO victory for Holloway, should be changed to a no-contest.

Despite the need for surgery and rehabilitation, McGregor has already voiced his desire for his next fight, stating that it “has to be Holloway.” This potential bout would also serve as the final fight on his current UFC contract. He sustained a right knee injury during the fight, with scans expected to provide more details.

McGregor’s last appearance in the Octagon before UFC 329 was in July 2021, where he faced Dustin Poirier and suffered a fractured left ankle, resulting in a first-round TKO loss. He has dismissed claims of pre-existing injuries before the recent fight and is now focused on his recovery.

White’s Perspective on McGregor’s Future

UFC CEO Dana White has addressed McGregor’s request for a rematch with Holloway, indicating that such discussions are premature given McGregor’s current injury status. White emphasized that McGregor still needs to undergo knee surgery and complete his recovery process. He acknowledged McGregor’s unhappiness with the outcome of the fight but highlighted the unpredictable nature of fighter comebacks, especially after a significant layoff.

White stated that he is not considering any future fights for McGregor until the fighter has fully recovered and communicated his readiness to return to full-time training. He noted that it is difficult to predict what will happen with either McGregor or Holloway over the next year, making any immediate planning impossible. Holloway, who emerged from the fight unscathed, has previously shown interest in a third fight against McGregor but is unlikely to remain inactive indefinitely while waiting for McGregor’s return.

The extent of McGregor’s injury is still unclear, but if it is an ACL tear, his recovery could take between nine to twelve months. White reiterated that he will only begin to think about McGregor’s next steps once the fighter has completed his physical therapy and is cleared to train. He also mentioned that he has not yet considered the promotional aspects of McGregor’s eventual return, despite the recent fight generating high viewership numbers.

White’s focus remains on McGregor’s health, and he is not speculating on the fighter’s future or contract situation until he is healthy and ready to compete again. McGregor, for his part, is determined to compete again and views his next fight as the conclusion of his current UFC agreement.

McGregor has been engaging with fans on social media, explaining his reasoning for his initial kick in the fight and dismissing speculation about drug use. He stated that he was “primed. Fit. Healthy.” before the fight and is now awaiting surgery and planning his recovery.

Source: sports.yahoo.com